And here is Ruby... my kitty. Her bed is now atop our piano. She likes the view from above, and Jack can't lumber into her lofty quarters. {smile}

It was a wintry February at our place. A short month by the calendar's estimation, but somehow a month that tends to linger a bit. Oh, I love the snow (and the snowshoeing!) and the cozy of the fire in the wood stove... but I also begin to anticipate the earliest of wildflowers that shouldn't be *too* far away.

And I am rather excited about all the eggs our chickens will begin laying again soon!

Our local feed store has chicks in stock. Before Jack joined our family, I had planned to add a dozen or so new laying hens to my flock this year. But common sense prevails, and there is just no logical way for me to add a tub full of chicks to brood in our little house that contains an always boisterous yellow Lab puppy.

He is a sweetie, my Jack... but I am going to wait another year to buy more chickens. Our current flock of thirteen hens should keep me at least partially supplied with farm fresh eggs this spring and summer.

What I *really* desire to add to our barnyard this spring is more goats! I've been praying about it and watching the farm sale ads and waiting and hoping. If it is God's will, it will happen!

Every holiday season for as long as I can remember, we have purchased a gingerbread house kit and extra candy and spent some family time ...

Hello, I'm Julie ~

Kevin's happy wifey for almost thirty years, mama of eight blessings, born-again disciple of Jesus, joy-filled homeMaker, gentle homesteader on our twenty-acre mountainside farm, long-time homeschooler, skirt-wearing and head covering Christian, body positive fitness enthusiast and hoopdancer, crafter and maker of lots of things. Lover of words and wildflowers, goats and coffee and yarn. So thankful I am for our big family's happy-busy, frugal, debt-free, homemade lifestyle and that I am blessed to be a stay-at-homestead mama, helping my dear hubby and blissfully enjoying a creative and authentic simple life while abiding in the sunshine of Christ's love. God is so good! It brings me great joy to share snippets of it all on my three blogs when I can find a quiet(ish) moment.

simple snippets

It is unanimous. When asked to name their favorite part of the festivities of the weekend, each of the children (without hesitation) said the same thing... decorating together and then eating the *entire* candy-covered gingerbread house for a sweet snack later that same day. A new tradition (the same-day eating of our gingerbread creativity!) is born, I think!

encouraging words

"and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing."

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